• Watch our special events of the week in the upcoming events sections.
    x
English
English हिन्दी

Tag: Diabetes & Insulin

Injecting Insulin

Injecting insulin is the essential part of the daily regime for many Diabetics patient. Although insulin that can be inhaled is now available and approved, the reality is that most type 1 diabetics (and type 2 diabetics who require insulin) will have to continue injecting insulin until it is more common.

Tips for Injecting Insulin

Injection sites: Insulin should be injected into the layer of fat that lies right under the skin. There are several areas on the body where you can inject your insulin. These include the:

  • Abdomen (Stomach), a few inches away from belly button
  • Outer thigh
  • Hips
  • Upper Buttocks
  • Back of the arms

Painful Injection: Now a day’s super thin needles are available in the market, Insulin injection are pretty much painless, If you are finding that your injection hurt’s, Try the followings;

  • Use a new needle for every injection. It’s tempting to reuse needles, but they can become dull even after just one or two injections. And the duller the needle, the more painful the injection.
  • Use the thinnest needle possible. The higher the gauge, the thinner the needle.
  • Use a short needle (6 mm or shorter).
  •  Inject insulin at room temperature.
  •  If you use alcohol to clean your injection site, make sure it’s completely dry before injecting.
  • Relax tense muscles make the nerves in the injection area more sensitive.
  • Larger doses of insulin (30 units or more) may be uncomfortable. If this is a concern, talk with your doctor about splitting your dose.
  • Rubbing ice on your skin before injecting may also help.

Insulin leaking from injection sites: It’s not unusual for insulin to leak out from the injection site after you withdraw the needle. Usually, the amount that leaks out is insignificant and likely won’t affect your blood sugar levels. To minimize or avoid leakage, try the following:

  • Count slowly to 10 before withdrawing the needle.
  • After removing the needle, place your finger on the site for 5–10 seconds.
  • If you use a pen, always remove the needle after you inject. Leaving the needle on can cause air to enter the cartridge and it will take longer to inject the insulin.
  • Try injecting at a 45-degree angle rather than going straight in.

Forgetting to take you insulin: Missing even just one injection per week can raise your HbA1c level by 0.5%. How can you remember?

  • Link taking your insulin with other daily habits, such as eating breakfast or brushing your teeth before you go to bed.
  • Keep your insulin and supplies in a convenient place. And think about keeping supplies both at home and at work (or school).
  • Don’t get distracted. Multitasking is never a good idea, especially when it comes to injections. If you’re doing too many things at once, you can easily forget to inject. Focus on the task at hand.
  • Set an alarm, use sticky notes, ask your spouse to remind you — all can help you to remember.

Fear of Needles: Injection can lead to anxiety and even physical symptoms, such as light-headedness, palpitations, dry mouth, sweating, and feeling sick. Here’s what can be helpful:

  • Make sure you’re using the shortest, thinnest needle that you can.
  • An insulin pen may be easier for you to use than a syringe.
  • Put a cold spoon or an ice cube on the injection site for a few minutes before you inject.
  • Ask your doctor about using a topical anesthetic, which can numb the surface of the skin.

To read more on Patient Care, click on the link below.

Patient Care

Content Courtesy : Portea

Compliance and Checklist

Compliance and Checklist for Diabetes

Compliance and Checklist for Diabetes by Famhealth

Despite significant modern advances in diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, compliance still remains the most crucial aspect of blood glucose level control. Scientific research in National Institute Health USA, suggests “Poor glycaemic control may be reflected by both the failure of diabetes self-management by patients as well as inadequate intervention strategies by clinicians”. Hence identifying the barriers in compliance and treatment adherence is an equally important aspect for successful diabetes management.

Barriers in compliances may be due to various reasons but as per research the majority of non-compliances in diabetes management could be due to In-adequate information, Cultural differences, Religious beliefs, Family dynamics, Emotional imbalances, and sometimes poor communication skills.

According to the American Diabetes Association, The major compliance regimen for people living with Diabetes includes:

  • On time Medications:
    • Medications on time, helps you to maintain a “good control” of blood glucose levels in your body. People living with diabetes are often prescribed multiple medications for diabetes and other co morbid conditions. 
      To ease your medicinal intake you are advised to check with your doctor on the sequence of medicines to be consumed as per priority for e.g. which medications to consume before/after meals. 
      To manage and ensure medicinal compliance you are encouraged to take the help of friends/family/colleagues who can effectively remind you to take your medications on time every time!
  • Food & Nutrition:
    • According to Dr. Mona registered dietician from USA says, “Good food is good medicine and bad food is bad medicine”. You are advised to have frequent diabetes friendly meals, to reap the maximum benefits of successful diabetes management. To know more refer to our Food section.
  • Exercise regimen:
    • Regimen: Having a daily exercise regime not only helps you to stay fit and healthy, but has also helped so many people in reversing their conditions remarkably! At Famhealth exercising can never get boring! Get to know the new forms and join our community to experience fun “do it with us” exercising modules.
  • Monitoring blood glucose levels:
    • Checking your blood glucose levels timely as recommended by your doctor helps to administer the effect of food, medicines and physical activity in your body. It is almost a reflection of how well you are managing your condition. You are encouraged to take help of your partner/family member/caregivers to learn the right ways of monitoring blood glucose levels to ensure diabetes compliance.

Family/friends/caregivers play a vital role in helping a person living with diabetes to overcome all the barriers and come on top their conditions

  • Check blood sugar levels as often as recommended by your doctor. By checking your blood glucose level, you can know how food, physical activity and medicine affect your blood glucose.
  • Inspect your feet daily for cuts, injuries, blisters, infection and changes in skin pigmentation.
  • Inspect your mouth, teeth and gums. People living with diabetes often are prone to periodontal gum diseases, doctors’ advice brushing twice daily and flossing once in a week.
  • Check for infection, cuts, blisters, or colour changes all over the body including your underarms, groin area, area between toes, etc.
  • As you may be already aware, people with diabetes must avoid hot water baths as hot baths often lead to wrinkling and blisters in skin.
  • Keep your supplies close: Make an attractive kit bag and keep all the necessary medications and food items within your reach. Replenish the kit daily to keep your energy elevated, and blood glucose levels normal.
  • Last but not the least take your medications on time and at least exercise or walk for a minimum 45 minutes daily to regulate blood glucose levels.

Non adherence to the above treatment compliances often leads to frustration in families and also in doctors treating diabetes individuals

Diabetes Types & symptoms